Vellinghausen is associated with a battle of the Seven Years’ War in 1761; a memorial stands at Löwenwäldchen. Together with Vellinghausen Castle, this gives the choice of location a clear historical focus. The broader destination of Welver complements this perspective with other topics relating to churches, landscapes and cycling.
Battle History and Vellinghausen Castle
The local history museum in the former bakery and brewery of Welver Monastery houses an extensive local history collection as well as a diorama of the Battle of Vellinghausen featuring around 3,000 tin soldiers. The memorial at Löwenwäldchen and the diorama represent different forms of remembrance: a named monument and a depiction of the battle using tin figures.
Vellinghausen Castle was built in 1300 and is considered a landmark of the twin village of Eilmsen–Vellinghausen. It is privately owned and inhabited. The building is therefore best appreciated from the outside, with a focus on its historic presence.
Nature in the Broader Destination of Welver
The Ahse Meadows nature reserve lies on the border between Welver and Lippetal. Its landscape includes moist and wet grassland, reed beds, hedgerows and small bodies of water. The area provides habitat for wading and water birds to breed, rest and overwinter. Amphibians, dragonflies and species-rich grassland communities also find habitats there. The Ahse Meadows thus complement the historical themes with a distinct focus on nature in the broader destination of Welver.
Kirchwelver and Hiking Trails in the Broader Destination of Welver
Kirchwelver is a former monastic village in the broader destination of Welver. Its Romanesque church was probably built in the 11th or 12th century. In 1240, Cistercian nuns enlarged the building and added a tower; it then served as a monastery church. For more than 100 years, the Reformed congregation and the Catholic nunnery shared the church. In 1700, the nuns consecrated a new Baroque monastery church. Its history therefore encompasses several clearly dated periods and shared use by two religious communities.
Welver has six circular hiking trails ranging in length from 2.5 to around 14 kilometres. The trails are marked locally; their range of lengths makes it easy to compare the different routes. A large sign at the car park in Kirchwelver also provides information about the hiking trails. Check the local signs before committing to a specific route.
Cycling in the Broader Destination of Welver
The 30-kilometre northern cycling route in Welver is designated as a Culture Route and passes cultural heritage sites with historical significance in the municipality. The Alleys Cycling Trail between Unna and Welver ends just a few hundred metres from the centre of Westphalia. A memorial stone on the edge of the village of Scheidingen, in the direction of Illingen, marks this centre and is located within the municipality of Welver.
Another option is a family-friendly short cycling route of just under 10 kilometres. It runs through the state forest, also known as Reiherwald, to Haus Nehlen in Berwicke. Check local route conditions before setting off.
Discover more destinations: Ense, Erwitte, Möhnesee, Anröchte, Welver, Warstein, Werl, Lippetal
To the broader travel overview: Soest.
